Written by Paul Vettise
The G1 Australian Derby preparation of the in-form Khoekhoe (Turffontein) will go ahead as planned, although part-owner and trainer Matt Cumani is expecting his charge to face a sterner test on Saturday than originally expected.
With the Sydney autumn carnival delayed by a week due to the torrential rain that postponed G1 Golden Slipper Day, Khoekhoe will front up in what will be take two of the G1 Rosehill Guineas and then on to the Derby.
He is one of two 3-year-olds in Cumani’s Ballarat stable on Classic paths with Nobel Heights (Fiorente {Ire}) heading toward the G1 South Australian Derby.
Khoekhoe will be stepping up to a middle distance at Rosehill off the back of his solid resuming run for third in last month’s G2 Autumn Classic over 1800 metres at Caulfield.
“We won’t be changing any plans, but it is a bit frustrating because he would have had four weeks between runs and now it’s five. In my mind, the race is a prep run for the Derby and he should run well,” Cumani said.
“The other frustration is that it’s going to be a tougher race with the delay and a few others in it like Grandslam, who won very well at Moonee Valley.”
Matt Cumani | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Great money-spinner
Khoekhoe has proved something of a surprise packet for the stable after Cumani secured him out of Hollylodge Thoroughbreds’ Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft for $50,000 and, with bonuses, has returned more than $730,000 on that investment.
“He’s done a great job for everyone and he’s just a lovely horse. He’s got a great temperament, he’s got a bit of spirit when he’s fresh, and is sound and a beautiful-looking horse.
“We have hopes with every purchase, but I thought he would be a nice horse to run around the country and go to town one day, but he’s much better than that.”
Khoekhoe as a yearling
Successful in last season’s VOBIS Showdown, Khoekhoe beat Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) in the Listed Super Impose S. in the spring and finished runner-up to Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) in the G2 Drummond Golf Vase.
Third in that event was the Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), who beat Cumani’s Hit The Shot (Dundeel {NZ}) next time out in the G1 VRC Derby. The latter was subsequently sold to Hong Kong interests.
Khoekhoe is out of the Cape Cross (Ire) mare Walvis Bay (NZ) and it is a pedigree that features the champion sire Danehill (USA).
“As a lot of the Cape Cross’ do, I think he will continue to improve into next year and the year after,” Cumani said.
“He likes to keep rolling and maintain his speed and not stop-start. That to me means he is looking forward to 2400 metres and I can’t wait to get him over that distance.
“He (Khoekhoe) likes to keep rolling and maintain his speed and not stop-start. That to me means he is looking forward to 2400 metres and I can’t wait to get him over that distance.” – Matt Cumani
“I don’t think he will mind it wet, he just hasn’t had much practice on it. A lot of it is training and conditioning and if they haven’t worked on it much it can make it difficult.”
Cumani’s stable has been in good form with three metropolitan victories in the last week, among them the lightly tried Nobel Heights, who won for the second time in four starts at Sandown.
“He’s a really exciting horse and the SA Derby is what we’re aiming for. The next race is the tricky one for him because there isn’t anything perfect for him,” Cumani said.
“There’s the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas and, or, the G3 Chairmans or we go to an 1800 metre race at Sandown, which would be two weeks from his last-start.
“I was hoping to not have to do that with him, but unfortunately the way the calendar is spaced he may have to do it and then another two weeks into the Chairman’s and then the Derby.
“He’s a big, backward horse and will be even better next year. I was hoping to give him a nice, spaced out campaign but it doesn’t look like it will work out that way.”
